Best of Honolulu 2011: Services

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Celeste Mobile Sharpening won editors' pick for best knife sharpening.

Photo: David Croxford

Readers' Picks

Automotive Repair

Lex Brodie’s is no newcomer to the Best Of Honolulu awards. Not just a tire company, Scott Williams, president of Lex Brodie’s, says about half of its business comes from regular car maintenance and repair issues, everything from brakes to air conditioning to alignments and more. Multiple locations, 536-9681, lexbrodies.com.

Cell Phone Service

This year, readers chose AT&T as their preferred wireless provider. We suspect it had a lot to do with the iPhone, which, until recently, was exclusively contracted with AT&T. Multiple locations, 591-9642, att.com.

Dry Cleaner

A perennial reader favorite, premium dry cleaner Clean Living Hakuyosha was an early adopter of Green Earth—a natural chemistry that is perc-free (a contaminant and carcinogen used by most dry cleaners). There are 13 Oahu locations, same-day and pick-up services, alterations and a location specifically focused on high-end garments (730 Sheridan St.). Multiple locations, 955-6116, hakuyosha.com.

Insurance Company

This year is First Insurance Company of Hawaii’s centennial year of operation (It opened its doors in 1911.), which makes it the oldest insurance company on the islands. What's the secret to its success? “Fast and fair claim service,” says Vice President Steve Tabussi. 1100 Ward Ave., 527-7777, www.ficoh.com.

Luxury Car Dealer

When it comes to luxury autos, readers choose Servco Lexus Honolulu, which offers new and used cars, parts, and service. Lexus now offers a full range of hybrids. 650 Kapiolani Blvd., 545-3987, www.ServcoLexus.com.

Pest Control Company

As the world’s largest pest control company, Terminix knows a thing or two about bugs. And here in Hawaii, the company is especially skilled in termite extermination. Get a free home inspection or a quote online. 468-5097, terminixHawaii.com.

Spa

For an urban escape, readers head downtown to Heaven on Earth Day Salon and Spa. Services run the gamut from lomi lomi massage to acupuncture. Sign up online for the monthly newsletter for insider specials on featured services. 1050 Alakea St., 599-5501, heavenonearthhawaii.com.

Storage Company

Readers chose Hawaii Self Storage for their storage needs. There are more than 70 storage unit sizes and even commercial units and amenities available for small business space. Shaun Salvador, vice president of marketing and sales, credits the company’s success to “being a local company that values customer service and community pride.” Multiple locations, 484-0054, hawaiiselfstorage.com.

Pediatric

Parents can wait hours in the ER just to be reassured that the baby’s fever is nothing to worry about. Next time, call Dr. Debbie Wagnild-Nojima, a.k.a. “Dr. Mom,” a pediatrician who makes house calls islandwide. She can do all sorts of nonemergency procedures during her visit—such as stitches or writing a quick prescription for antibiotics to a 24-hour pharmacy. You don’t need to already be one of her patients to call her: She’ll go out on late-night home visits (if necessary) after a first call. She takes HMSA PPO and her rates run from $120 to $300. 258-1287,drmomhawaii.com.

Family Practice

“I’m trying to catch people who are falling through the cracks: the elderly, home-bound and disabled,” says family practitioner Dr. Shaun Berry, affiliated with Castle Medical Center. For the past five years of his 20-year practice, Berry has done only house calls. He says research shows that doctors make more diagnoses from a home exam than an office, because they can do things like assess a patient’s medication, determine mobility and decide if extra help is needed. Berry sees only his current patients at home, so call for his availability. castlemed.com, click on “find a physician.”

Veterinarian

Just because you’re furry and walk on all fours doesn’t mean you should be excluded from high-quality, in-home medical care. Veterinarian Dr. Eric Pearson can do anything an office-based vet can do: blood tests, ultrasounds and even chemotherapy. He charges $65 per visit and all other costs are comparable to standard veterinarians, so there’s no excuse for putting off a checkup. Pearson will travel anywhere on Oahu. He provides urgent care only for existing patients. To contact him, call 261-6000.

Best Hair Salon

Salon guests at Hoala Spa and Salon are greeted with a cup of herbal tea before their pre-cut hair consultation. It’s just one of the perks that led our readers to choose Hoala as their favorite hair salon. Guests are promised at least one of five Aveda sensory experiences. Haircuts, for example, are accompanied by a stress-relieving treatment and hand massage. Color is one of the salon’s most popular services, says co-owner Lititia Thomas, who explains that at least 97 percent of the ingredients in Aveda’s coloring products are naturally derived. 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., 947-6141, hoalasalonspa.com.

Best Home Security Service

Locally owned Alert Alarm of Hawaii has been protecting homes since 1962. “We try to bring the latest technology in our industry to the state of Hawaii,” says owner John Cannon, “and that’s been well received.” 2668 Waiwai Loop, 521-5000, alertalarmhawaii.com.